Wayne Rooney Says Marcus Rashford Can’t Blame Man Utd Environment For His Struggles

Wayne Rooney has weighed in on Marcus Rashford’s recent comments about Manchester United’s “inconsistent environment,” saying the England forward’s struggles were more about personal performance than surroundings.

Rashford, who has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the Red Devils since 2016, has enjoyed a rollercoaster few seasons. After bagging 30 goals in 2022–23, he struggled to maintain that form and eventually went out on loan — first to Aston Villa, and now to Barcelona, where he’s thriving again.

In a recent interview, Rashford suggested he had spent “a very long time in an inconsistent environment,” hinting that Manchester United’s instability played a role in his dip in form.

But Rooney, speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, disagrees.

“I think the environment hasn’t been right, but that is down to yourself,” the former United captain said.

“If you’re not playing well or you get left out, it’s easier to blame the environment. Whether that’s right or wrong, I think it comes from how you apply yourself.

We’ve seen games where Marcus can do more, can run more — that’s nothing to do with environment. I might be wrong here, I really like Marcus as a lad, but I think that’s an easy one to throw at people.”

Rashford’s Revival At Barcelona

Now at Barcelona, Rashford appears to have found his spark again — with fans praising his renewed confidence and consistency. The change of scenery has clearly helped, but Rooney’s comments suggest that, ultimately, the player’s drive and attitude determine his output more than the setup around him.

Rooney On Liverpool vs Manchester United

Rooney also shared thoughts on the upcoming Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield this Sunday.

“If Liverpool lose four games in a row and lose to Manchester United at Anfield, the pressure is definitely on them,” he said.

“When you bring so many new players in — all with egos, all wanting to shine — it takes time to build chemistry. The first five wins covered a lot, but the last three losses have exposed what’s really going on.”

The Manchester United legend believes the game could serve as a reset for both sides — Liverpool looking to stop their slump, and United hoping to prove their resilience after a shaky start under Ruben Amorim.

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